Cathcart originally called the Mount William diggings in 1854 when gold was first discovered at Pinkey Point (where the cairn is on Moyston Road)
The Creek which runs thru Cathcart is called Denicull Creek which empties into the Hopkins River which flows into the sea at Warrnambool. The squatting run called Burrumbeep encompassed most of the area of the gold field. On 16th Oct. 1856 ex convict Gypsey Smith and his mate Twiggem were bailed up by Police Sgt. John McNally and Const. Moore. John McNally was killed in a affray by a shot from Twiggem and Const. Moore was wounded in the shoulder. Smith and Twiggem escaped and were eventually captured on 23rd Oct. at Amhurst near Maryborough.
A monument to NcNally was placed inside the cemetery. The Cathcart school No. 1119 was in the paddock to the right (east) when opening the first gate in the driveway to the cemetery. The school opened in 1872 and closed in 1950 and was later pulled down. The hill was originally called Cemetery Hill but now McNally's Hill (there is a sign). No buildings remain of the original township which had a church, stores, two pubs. After the initial gold rush, people purchased land and settled into farming life. (Thank you to Marion McAdie, local historian for this information)
Cache:
- The cache is a screw top, approx 1 litre. It contains a logbook, pen and enough room for a few small swaps.
Access/ Parking:
- The turn-off to Cathcart cemetary is located on a bendy portion of the Ararat- Maroona Rd (Port Fairy Rd), depending on traffic, you may need to pass the turn-off, and double back for it.
- Asses the location and choose a suitable park. Look out for helpful locals offering to change your tyre.
Muggles:
- Traffic on the Ararat Road consists of local traffic, larger trucks, erath moving machinary and agricultural machinary, motorbikes and push bikes. This is the main road to the south from Ararat, and is generally quiet in holiday season, except for traffic going through to Warnambool, Port Fairy, or Mt Gambier and Adeliade.
Hazards:
- Watch out for snakes in warmer weather. Use a walking stick.
- The terrain is easy enough to navigate, after parking, locate the cache and choose your path according to your ability level.
- The roads, bitumen and dirt can be slippery when wet.
- Once you are on foot, watch out for puddles, rabbit holes and debri on the ground,